Objective To explore the effect of moxa-stick moxibustion and joss-stick moxibustion at"Guanyuan"(CV4)on the activity of mast cells in the small intestine tissue in rats.Methods Twelve male SD rats were randomly divided into control

joss-stick moxibustion and moxa-stick moxibustion groups(n=4 rats in each group). Joss-stick or moxa-stick moxibustion was applied to CV4 for 10 min. After moxibustion

the skin temperature of the CV4 region was measured immediately with a thermometer. The mast cells and nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue were displayed by immunofluorescence histochemistry.Results Compared with the control group

the skin temperature of the CV4 region in both the joss-stick and the moxa-stick groups were significantly increased(P<0. 05)

while the skin temperature of the moxa-stick group was significantly higher than that in the joss-stick group(P<0. 05). There were a large number of tryptase-positive mast cells in the small intestine of rats

some of which were co-expressed with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1

displaying an activated state. The average numbers of mast cells in the control

joss-stick and moxastick groups were 9. 2±3. 6

10. 8±5. 3 and 17. 1±6. 3

respectively

being significantly higher in the moxa-stick group than in the control and joss-stick groups(P<0. 05). In addition

calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)and neuropeptide Y(NPY)positive nerve fibers were found around the mast cells in the small intestinal tissues.Conclusion Moxastick moxibustion gives rise a higher temperature at CV4 to activate mast cells surrounded by CGRP and NPY positive nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue in rats

suggesting an involvement of the sensory and sympathetic nervous system in the activation of intestinal mast cells possibly by way of somatic sympathetic reflex.